Measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics establishment survey, this measures the number of payroll jobs in the economy, excluding farm jobs. RTW states held an advantage in nearly every year while non-RTW states and Michigan sank. Recently, they’ve been growing at roughly the same rates.

Gross Domestic Product is the value of the goods and services produced in an economy, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. These figures are adjusted to inflation. Except for 2008, RTW states outperformed non-RTW states every year since 2003.

Gross Domestic Product is the value of the goods and services produced in an economy, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. These figures are adjusted to inflation. Over time, RTW states outperform nonRTW states while Michigan lost GDP.